3 - cyanomethylene-androstenes and -oestrenes and process for their preparation



United States Patent Int. Cl. C07c 159/08, 167/00 US. Cl. 260397.3 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The manufacture of 3-cyanomethylene derivatives of the androstane and oestrane series by reacting 3-oxosteroids with cyanomethyl-dialkyl phosphonates.

The present invention relates to 3-cyanomethyleneandrostenes and -oestrenes as Well as to the process for their preparation.

These new compounds of the general Formula I wherein R represents the hydroxy group, an aliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic or cycloaliphatic acyloxy group containing 112 C-atoms, an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkoxy radical, a phenoxy or aralkoxy radical or the groups R represents hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical which contains at most 3 C- atoms and which may be substituted by fluorine or chlorine atoms, or R and R together represent a keto or ketal group, R represents hydrogen, methyl, fluorine, chlorine, trifluorornethyl and R R and R represent hydrogen, or methyl, the groups R, and R together may also represent the 6,7-oxido group, and the compounds of Formula I may furthermore contain a 16-methylene group and/or a A or a A -double bond, can be prepared by re acting monoor poly-unsaturated 3-oxo-steroid derivatives of the general Formula II wherein R to R have the above-mentioned meanings and a methylene group may be present in 16-position, with cyanomethyldialkyl phosphonates in the presence of anhydrous bases in inert organic solvents. If a 17-beta-acyloxy group is desired, a hydroxy group in the 17-beta-position can be esterified to the corresponding 17-beta-acyloxy group, or a ketal group in the 17-position can be bydrolyzed.

Since the reaction is started with unsaturated steroid derivatives, e.g. 3-oxo-A or 3-oxo-A -steroids, the 3-cyanomethylene-steroid derivatives of the monoor poly-unsaturated androstene or oestrene compounds are normally obtained, by the process of the present invention, in the form of cis/trans isomer mixtures as regards the arrangement of the cyano-group in the exocyclic 3-d0uble bond.

The process of the invention for example takes place according to the following formula scheme when using a 3-oxo-A -androstene derivative:

CH CH I Logan no 0 A PCH2-CN B A {J CECH wherein R represents CH or C H and B represents a base.

The monoor poly-unsaturated 3-oxo-compounds of the androstane or oestrane series, used as starting materials for the process of the present invention, are already known and prepared according to known processes.

It is surprising that an unprotected 17-keto-group of compounds of the androstane and oestrane series is not simultaneously converted to :an olefinic bond, though in absence of 3-oxo-A groups a corresponding conversion of the 17-oxo-group to an olefinic bond With cyanomethyldialkyl phosphonates proceeds very smoothly.

The following are, for example, possible starting substances in accordance with the invention:

A -androstene-3,17-dione 1 7-ethylenedioxy-A -androstene-3-one 17fl-hydroxy-A -androstene3-one 17fl-hydroxy-17a-methyl-A -androstene-3-one 1 7,9-hydroxy-17a-ethyl-A -androstene-3 one 17fl-hydroxy-17a-vinyl-A -androstene-3-one 17,8-hydroxy-17a-ethinyl-A -androstene-3 -one as well as the 17 acyloxy, 17 alkoxy, 6a-methyl, 7amethyl, l-methyl, 16-methylene, A -dehydro, and 6ahalogen derivatives thereof and the 17-acy1oxy and 17- alkoxy derivatives of the 6a-methyl, 7a-methyl, l-methyl, 16-methylene, A -dehydro, and 6u-halogen derivatives.

Moreover, there may be used as starting materials from the oestrane series all 19-nor-derivatives (=A -oestrenes series)'of the aforementioned compounds of the androstane series as well "as the 6,7-oxido d c'om'poundsfmi.:' .1: .1. M. a

It is of advantage to use asphosphonates cyanomethyldimethyl phosphonate or cyanomethyldiethyl phosphonatgg nl- .2 i. 3. 1 3

A's bases there may beused especially alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydrides,'as well as alkali metal and alkaline earth metal alcoholates and amides, preferably sodium'o'r potassiumhydride, -amide, methylate, -eth ylate 0r--t'ert:" butyla'te. 'i r Th'e- 3-oxo-A derivatives are added as a solution or suspension in' an in'ert organic solvent as solution or suspension to a solution-or suspension of .one of the erivatives of said bases and 'phosphonates" mentioned. .Su'ch solvents are 1 orally parenterally administered. ll/hen orally adm inisteredgtheproduds are'preferably usedinform of tablets A solution of 400mg. of sodium in 9 ccm. of absolute ethanol waszadded. dropwise with .stirring within-30 minutesat. roomtemperature to a solution of 2.6 grams of Ai-an drostene-3-one-17/9 01 and 3.05 grams ofc'yanomethyldiethyl phosphonate in" ccnm'of ethanol. After stirring for 2 /2 hour's atlroo'm temperature,"the reaction mixture was poured into water and. theoily crystalline productx-which precipitates after some time .was filtered mole equivalents. The reaction is carried out at temperatures between 70 and the boiling point of the solvents used, preferably between room temperature and the boiling temperature of the solvent. The reaction periods may vary from 1 minute to about 48 hours, in general, however, the reaction is terminated between minutes and 2 hours. I

It is also possible to proceed in the reverse manner, by first introducing the solution or suspension of the steroid component into that of the phosphonate and adding the solution of the base or by first combining the two other reaction components and then adding the phosphonate. If desired, the reaction mixture may be subjected to the above-mentioned reaction conditions for a longer period than required, without subsequent chemical modification I normally obtained the form of. cis/trans isomeric mixtures," may be separated into their pure cisor transisomersbyfractional crystalligation or by chromatographic. separation. The yields obtained are. between '80 and 100% of the theory. v

tis known that synthetic'derivatives of the androstaneand oestrane series have, in addition to a preferred hormonal effect, a spectrum of secondary activities whose presence or absence may be used in therapeutics. In' the case of synthetic gestagens, the activities. are, among off and washed with water. After drying in vacuo over P 0 2.8 grams of 3-cy'anornethylene-A -androstene-17/3- ol (A =2-72.m;i, e.=;23,'500) were obtainedxjand recrystallized several times. from ether. A pure isomer of the reaction product was obtained, melting at 136140 0. Characteristic IRbands: 3 ,500, 2,200, 1,600, 1,580 em k =272 ma, e=24,400.

EXAMPLE 2 (a) To a suspension of 510 mg. of sodium hydride in 7 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, 4.3 grams of cyanomethyl-diethyl .phosphonate (or cyanomethyl-dirnethyl phosphonate)" were added dropwise while stirring and cooling. When the development of H ceased a solution of 3 g. of A -oestrene-3-one-l7fi-ol in 20 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane was added to the reaction solution and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 /2 hours at bath temperature between 40 and C. The mixture was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered otf, thoroughly washed with water and dried in vacuo. 3 grams of 3-cyanomethyleneeA -oestrene-17,6-01 melting at 182l88 C. .,,,,,,,:272 ma, e =24,l00) were obtained and recrystallized from acetone/ether. Melting point: 188 190 C. x 272 ma', e=23,500.' Characteristic IR bands'z' 3,470, 2,200,-1,620, l,580 cm.- I

(b) 2' grams of 3-cyanomethylene-A -oestrene-178-01 and 500 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid were suspended in 15 ccm. of absolute glacial acetic acid and 15 ccm. of absolute acetic acid anhydride and stirredfor 90 minutes at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured into, water, the crystalline precipitate filtered off, thoroughly washed with water and dried'in high vacuum over-potassiumhydroxide. 2.3 grams of 3-cyan0methylene-At-oestiene-l7fl:ol acetate melting at 131-136 .C.

i were obtained. A =272 m e:24,700. Characteristic others, of oestr oge nic, androgenic .or anabolic, gonado;

tropine-inhibiting and corticoid-like nature, and an inhibiting activity on the function of the adrenal cortex can likewise be observedpIn the case of the-'3-cyanometh'ylene derivatives of the androstaneand: oes'traneseries (=19- nor-androstane. series) obtainedaccording to the present may .be used, as pregestag ens. Thus. the products of; the

present invention, especially thefostrene derivatives, may be used as" contraceptive substances; moreover, they may be used as"inter-inediafryv productsfor the preparation of further valuable steroid derivatives,

admixture with pharmaceutic'ally usual carriers, may be The products of the processfi'f desired or 'required in 0 IR bands: 2,200, 1,740, 1,630, 1,580, 1,260 cmf EXAMPLE 3 T.oa suspension'of 5lO mg. of sodium. hydride in 9 m. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, 4.3 grams 'of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonatewere added dropwise while stirring and cooling. When the development of hydrogen ceased, a solution of 3.1 g. of A -oestrene-3-one-175-01- acetate in 16 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane was added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 2 /2 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered off, thoroughly washed with water and dried in vacuum. 3.0 grams of 3-cyano-methylene A oestrene-17,B-ol-acetate melting at 13l136 C. were obtained. :272 ma, e=24,700. Characteristic IR bands: 2,200, 1,740, 1,630, 1,580, 1,260 cmr EXAMPLE 4 g V .A solution jof 400 mghof sodiurnin9 ccm. of absolute ethanol was addedLdropwisewith stirring to. a solution of 2.6 grams of l 17 a-methyl-A -andi'ostene-3 one-176-01 and 3.1 grams of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate in 5 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane and 20 ccm. of absolute ethanol. After stirring for 3 hours at room temperature the reaction mixture was poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered off, thoroughly washed with water and dried in vacuum. 2.6 grams of 3-cyanomethylene-l7amethyl-Ai-androstene-176-01 melting at 135-l45 C. were obtained and recrystallized from ether. :272 mu, e=24,700. Characteristic IR bands: 3,500, 2,220, 1,630, 1,590 cmf In order to esterify the 17-hydroxyl group, 5.3 grams of 3-cyano-methylene-17a-methyl A androstene-17fi-ol and 1.5 grams of p-toluenesulfonic acid were suspended in 50 ccm. of glacial acetic acid and 50 ccm. of acetic anhydride. After stirring for 90 minutes at 20 C., the reaction mixture was poured into water and the crystalline precipitate was filtered off. After washing with water and drying, 5 grams of 3-cyano-methylene-l7u-methyl-A -androstene-17fi-ol-acetate were obtained. A =272 mu, e=25,500. Characteristic IR bands: 2,200, 1,730, 1,620, 1,580, 1,260 cm.-

EXAMPLE 5 To the sodium compound of the phosphonate prepared from 2.2 grams of sodium hydride and 18 grams of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate in 30 ml. of absolute tetrahydrofurane (preparation as described in Example 2) was added a suspension of 12.5 grams of 17a-ethinyl-A -androstene-3-one-17fi-ol in 90 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane. The reaction mixture was then heated for 2 /2 hours up to 50-60 C., with the suspended constituents going into solution. The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate filtered off, washed with water and dried in vacuum. 13.6 grams of crystalline 3-cyanomethylene 17a ethinyl A androstene-17fi-ol melting at 2092l2 C., [a] =+135, were obtained. A =272 m e=24,100. Characteristic IR bands: 3,500, 3,300, 2,200, 1,630, 1,590 cm.-

By fractional crystallization from methylene chloride/ ether, the two cis/trans isomers were separated:

Isomer 1: melting point 212-213 C. [a] =-}-52. Isomer 2: melting point 155158 C. [a] =+190.

Both isomers show the same UV and IR spectrum values as the cis/trans isomer mixture.

3.5 grams each of the two pure cis/trans isomers were esterified respectively with 28 ccm. of glacial acetic acid, 28 ccm. of acetic anhydride and 860 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid, as described in Example 2(b). The two pure cis/ trans isomers of the 3-cyanomethylene-l7a-ethinyl-A androstene-17,8-ol-acetate (3.8 or 3.9 grams) were respectively obtained.

l7-acetate of isomer 1: melting point 190-192 C.

' dioxane +43 17-acetate of isomer 2: melting point l38141 C.

dioxane +174 Both isomers showed the same characteristic UV and IR spectra: A =272 mu, e=24,000. Characteristic IR bands: 3,300, 2,200, 1,750, 1,620, 1,590, 1,250, 1,230 cmr EXAMPLE 6 i To a suspension of 395 mg. of sodium hydride in 6 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, 3.3 grams of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate were added dropwise while stirring and cooling. When the development of H ceased, a solution of 2.33 grams of 17a -methyl-A -oestrene-3- 0ne-17fl-ol in ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 /2 hours at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 60 C., or for about 3 hours at room temperature.

The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered 01f, washed with water and dried. 2.3 grams of crude 3-cyanomethylene-17u- .were obtained and recrystallized ,several times from methylene chloride ether. Melting point: 241-245 C. A =273 m e=23.700, Characteristic IR bands: 3,500, 2,200, 1,625, 1,590 cmr In order to esterify the 17-hydroxyl group, 300 mg. of crude 3-cyano-methylene-17a-methyl-A -oestrene-175- 01 were esterified with 2.4 ml. of glacial acetic acid, 2.4 ml. of acetic anhydride and 75 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid (as described in Example 2b) and worked up as usual. After drying in vacuum over potassium hydroxide, 300 mg. of crude 3-cyanomethylene-l7a-methyl-A oestrene-l7fl-ol-acetate (melting range: -100 C.) were obtained in pure form by recrystallization from ether. k =272 m a: 23,800. Characteristic IR bands: 2,210, 1,740, 1,630, 1,590, 1,260 cmr EXAMPLE 7 To a suspension of 292 mg. of sodium hydride in 5 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, 2.53 grams of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonatewere added dropwise while stirring and cooling. When the development of H terminated, a suspension of 1.7 grams of 17a-ethinyl-A oestrene-3-one-17B-ol in 15 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane was added to the reaction mixture and then stirred for 2 hours at 50-60" C. The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and dried. 1.72 grams of 3-cyanomethylene 17a ethinyl A oestrene 17,8 ol melting at 144-145 C. were obtained. A =272 III/L, e=23,000. Characteristic IR bands: 3,500, 3,320, 2,200, 1,630, 1,590 cmf EXAMPLE 8 (a) To a suspension of mg. (or 64 mg. respectively) of sodium hydride in 4 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, 1.3 grams (or 500 mg. respectively) of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate were added dropwise while stirring and cooling. When the development of H ceased a suspension of 900 mg. of 17a-ethinyl-A -oestrene-3-one- 17/8-ol-acetate in 8 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane was added to the clear reaction solution and stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and dried. 960 mg. of 3 cyanomethylene 17a ethinyl A oestrene 17,8- ol-acetate melting at 142-145 C. were obtained. A =272 mu, e=23,900. Characteristic IR bands: 3,320, 2,220, 1,750, 1,630, 1,590, 1,260, 1,230 cm.- By recrystallizing several times from ether, a pure isomer melting at -162 C. was obtained.

(b) 1.4 grams of 3-cyanomethylene-17u-ethinyl-A oestrene-17 801 were esterified with 12 ccm. of glacial acid, 12 ccm. of acetic anhydride and 375 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid as described in Example 2(b) and worked up as usual. 1.5 grams of 3-cyanomethylene-l7a ethinyl-A -oestrene-l7,8-ol-acetate were obtained, having the same data as stated under (a).

EXAMPLE 9 To a solution of 5 grams of 7a,17a-dimethyl-A -androstene-3-one-17/3-ol and 6.4 grams (or 3 grams respectively) of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate in 25 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane or dioxane, a solution of 800 mg. (or 370 mg., respectively) of sodium in 20 ccm. of absolute ethanol was added dropwise while stirring. After stirring for 4 hours at room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into water. The crystalline product which precipitated after some time was filtered off, washed with water and dried. 5.4 grams of 3-cyanomethyl-7a,17a-dimethyl-A androstene-173-01 were obtained, partially as a still oily crystalline product, and recrystallized from a small quantity of ether: 4.5 grams of colorless crystals melting at 140-160 C. (M :272 mu, e=23,800). By repeatedly recrystallizing from acetone/ether, a pure isomer melting at 196198 C. was obtained. k =272 ma, e=23,500. Characteristic IR bands: 3,480, 2,200, 1,610, 1,570 cmr t In order to esterify the 17-hydroxy1 group 4- grams of 3 cyanomethylene 704,170 dimethyl A androstene- 175-01 and 1 gram of p-toluenesulfonic acid were suspended in 30 ccm. of glacial acetic acid and 30 mm. of acetic anhydride. After stirring for 90 minutes at 20 C., the reaction mixture was poured into water and the crystalline product which precipitated after some time was filtered 01f, washed and dried in vacuum over potassium hydroxide. 4.2 grams of 3-cyano-methylene-7a,17rz-dimethyli A -androstene-17/8-ol-acetate melting at 7075 C. were ,obtained. A =272 m e=25,200. Characteristic I R .bands: 2,200, 1,730, 1,620, 1,580, 1,260 cmr EXAMPLE To a solution of 1.2 grams of A -androstene-3,17-dione and 1 gram of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate in com. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, a solution of 95 mg.

of sodium in 3 ccm. of absolute ethanol was added dropwise within minutes while stirring. After stirring for 6 hours at room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ether, the ether extracts were washed with water and the solvent was dis- EXAMPLE 11 To a suspension of 360 mg. of sodium hydride in 5 ccm. of absolute tetrahydrofurane, 3 grams of cyanomethyl-diethyl phosphonate were added dropwise while stirring and cooling. When the development of H terminated, a suspension of 2 grams of l7a-ethinyl-A androstadiene-3-0ne-17fi-ol in 10 com. of absolute tetrahydrofurane was added to the reaction mixture and the reaction solution was then stirred at a temperature within the range of from to C. The solution was then poured into water, the crystalline precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and dried. 2.1 grams of 3-cyanomethylene-l7a-ethinyl-A -androstadiene-17.,8-01 less melting at 185-195 C. were obtained. A ,,,,=312 m e=33,-

400. Characteristic IR bandsi 3,420, 3,260, 2,200, 1,660,

1,590crni I In order to este rify the 17 hydroxyl group, 2 grams of 3, cyanomethylene 17u ethinyl A androstadiene- -01 and 500 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid were suspended in 15 ccm. of glacial acetic acid and 15 com, of

PITA compound selected from the group consisting of 25 tilled off. 1.3 grams of 3-cyanomethylene-A -androstene- (A) compounds of the formula, v

I b where X is methylor hydrogen, f "'(B) compoundso'f the same formula additionally having' a 'A -double b'ond, compounds of the same formula having a A -double bond, "and the 16- methylene derivatives'of the aforesaid compounds. 2. A compound as in claim I wherein X is methyl. 3. A compound as in'claim 1 wherein X is hydrogen. 7 4. In a process for the preparation of 3-cyanomethylene' derivatives of steroids of the andr'ostane' and osetrane series, which process comprises reacting a cyan'omethyl dialkyl phosphon'atewith a steroid selected from the group consisting of (A) compounds having the formula 1 1 CH3 R wherein R taken alone 'rjepresents hydroxy or'acetoxy, R taken alone represents hydrogen or saturatedor unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having at most3 carbon atoms, R and R taken'together represent 0x0 or ketal, R represents hydrogen, methyl, fluorine, or chlorine, and R R and R represent hydrogen or methyl, (B) compounds of the same formula additionally having a A double bond, and (C) the lG-methylene derivatives of the aforesaid compounds, in an inert solvent in the presence of a base, whereby the corresponding 3-,cyanomethylone compound is formed, the improvement wherein said base is sodium hydride. I

5. A process as in claimed 4 wherein R is 17-beta-hydroxy, and the 3-cyanomethylene-17-beta-hydroxy compound formed is subsequently acetylated to form the corresponding 3-cyanomethylene-17-beta-acetoxy compound. 6. A process as in'claim'4 wherein R and R taken together are ketal, and the 17-ketal group of'the 3-cyanomethylene compound formed is subsequently hydrolyzed.

7. 3 cyanomethylene 17-alpha-methyl-A -oestrene-17- beta-ol. p I A 8. 3 cyanome'thylene-17-alpha-methyl-A oestrene-17- beta-ol-acetate.

9. 3-cyano-methylene-l7u-ethinyl-M-oestrene}l7t3-ol.

10. 3 cyano-methylene-l7a-ethinyl-A -oestrene 175-01- acetate, v r n References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS? 7 3,337,590 8/1967 Bose et 1 260397 ELBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner 3 

